Renantis Assel Valley Wind Farm Community Fund (Girvan & District)

About this fund

The Girvan & District Assel Valley Community Fund is funded by Renantis from its Assel Valley wind farm in South Ayrshire. The fund supports projects located within or directly benefiting the community council area of Girvan & District. Other funds are available for projects benefitting the neighbouring community council areas of Barr Community Fund and Renantis Assel Valley Pinwherry and Pinmore, and these are administered under separate arrangements.

An Advisory Panel of local Community Councillors decides on awards from the fund.  

The fund income comprises index-linked annual payments. From 2018, approximately £30,000 will be available each year.

Grant Size: From £500 to £5,000

Purpose of this fund

Assel Valley Girvan will support charitable activities that support the rural regeneration and sustainability of Girvan. 
Awards can support a wide range of costs and activities including equipment costs, running costs for local groups, staff or sessional worker costs, consultations, maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities etc.

As well as demonstrating a fit with the requirements outlined above, priority for awards can be given to projects that address the following additional criteria.

• Match funding: That other possible funding sources for the project have been explored. This might include applicants raising some funds through their own fundraising efforts. The fund should not displace funding that could be obtained from other sources, but should help lever-in additional funds if possible. Additionally it should not reduce community-based groups’ commitment to organising local activities that contribute to a vibrant community calendar and promote community spirit. Ideally, applicants can demonstrate that a percentage of the total project cost will be sourced from other funding sources, including the applicant organisation itself, which might be in a position to contribute to the project cost.
• Local procurement: That local suppliers will be used for the provision of goods and services, where appropriate (e.g. in terms of quality of products / services available) and feasible (in terms of availability and cost). (‘Local’ will vary depending on the nature and availability of the item/service in question. In some cases it could be taken to mean within Carrick and the surrounding area, but in others South Ayrshire or indeed the South of Scotland might be most appropriate).
• Care for our environment: That consideration has been given to minimising the environmental impact of projects and reducing the applicant organisation’s ‘carbon footprint’.
• Local consultation: That the organisation has consulted an appropriate number of the intended beneficiaries of the project and can demonstrate local support for the proposal.
• Partnership working: That the organisation has considered whether delivering their project in partnership with other organisations / groups will add value (financial, capability, or other). This could involve working with voluntary, private or public sector bodies that operate at local, regional or national level.
• First time applicants: For the September 2022 funding round, priority will be given to applicants who have not previously applied to the Renantis Assel Valley Girvan Community Fund. 

Who can apply?

Your group/organisation must meet our standard eligibility criteria. You don’t need to be a registered charity to apply. 

What can’t be funded?

Information on what the fund cannot support is provided here.

How are decisions made?

The Assel Valley Panel makes recommendations on awards from the fund and advises on overall fund strategy. The Panel is governed by a Terms of Reference that has been developed and agreed upon between community representatives and Foundation Scotland and is reviewed from time to time.

The Panel is made up of Girvan Community Councillors. The Panel meets approximately twice per year to make decisions on applications to the fund. The current Panel is:

• Rhona Walker (Chair)
• Ken Johnstone
• Wilma Dunlop
• David Girvan
• Karen McCartney
• Jane Willis 
• Colin Davidson
• John McCreath
• Sconaid Clark 
• Stephen Galloway

Minutes from recent panel meetings can be viewed within the Useful links section. Minutes from previous meetings are available on request from the Community Funds Adviser (please see details below).